STORY: Israeli protesters and families of hostages marched on Wednesday (August 20) along the Gaza border calling for the release of hostages still held in Gaza.

Protesters waved Israeli flags, chanted slogans and lit candles during the protest.

Israel’s military announced the first steps of an operation to take over Gaza City on Wednesday and called up tens of thousands of reservists while the government considered a new ceasefire proposal to pause nearly two years of war.

Hamas has accepted a proposal put forward by Arab mediators for a 60-day ceasefire that would involve releasing some of the remaining hostages and freeing Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

The Israeli government, which has said all the 50 remaining hostages must be released at once, is studying the proposal. Israeli authorities believe that 20 hostages are still alive.

Many Gazans and foreign leaders fear a storming of Gaza City would cause significant casualties. Israel says it will help civilians leave battle zones before any assault begins.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: FAMILY MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS OF HOSTAGES MARCH ALONG GAZA BORDER TO DEMAND THE RETURN OF ALL HOSTAGES HELD IN GAZA

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: SOUTHERN ISRAEL (AUGUST 20, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. FAMILY MEMBERS OF HOSTAGES AND ISRAELIS CARRYING FLAGS AND POSTERS WITH IMAGES OF HOSTAGES GATHERING AHEAD OF MARCH ALONG GAZA BORDER TO DEMAND THE RETURN OF ALL HOSTAGES

2. PROTESTERS CARRYING POSTERS WITH IMAGES OF HOSTAGES

3. PROTESTERS CARRYING FLAGS, MARCHING

4. PROTESTERS CARRYING POSTERS WITH IMAGES OF HOSTAGES

5. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING ALONG GAZA BORDER

6. PROTESTER CARRYING POSTER WITH IMAGE OF HOSTAGE

7. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING

8. PROTESTER CARRYING PLACARD READING (English): "END THE WAR, SEAL THE DEAL"

9. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING

10. PROTESTER CARRYING POSTER, MARCHING

11. PROTESTERS MARCHING

12. PROTESTERS GATHERING AT REIM PARKING LOT, THE SITE OF THE NOVA FESTIVAL WHERE SOME PARTYGOERS WERE KILLED AND KIDNAPPED DURING OCTOBER 7 ATTACK BY HAMAS

13. VAN WITH BANNER READING (Hebrew): "THE PEOPLE WILL BRING BACK THE HOSTAGES"

14. PROTESTERS GATHERING

15. PROTESTERS CARRYING POSTERS WITH IMAGES OF HOSTAGES

16. VARIOUS OF CHILDREN LIGHTING CANDLES

17. MAN LIGHTING CANDLE

18. CANDLES